Minnesota Wild beat reporter Mike Russo wrote that the Oilers are actively pursuing Cal Clutterbuck and the trade could involve Tyler Pitlick.

One team hot after him is Edmonton; the Wild has talked to the Oilers about a deal that would include Minnesotan Tyler Pitlick.

Russo had the above line in his piece on the Wild's salary cap situation and where Clutterbuck fits. Clutterbuck is an RFA, and he just finished a three-year deal with a $1.4 million cap hit. He made $1.7 million in actual dollars last year, so you'd think he'd be looking at a deal north of $2 million.

Clutterbuck is coming off his worst season in four years. He scored only 4 goals and 10 points in 42 games last season, but the previous three years he was decent offensively.

The Oilers wouldn't add Clutterbuck just for his offence. He's been a 3rd pairing forward on the PK the past four seasons in Minnesota, and he plays with an edge. He's one of the most physical forwards in the NHL, having led the NHL in hits in 2010 (318), 2011 (336) and he was 3rd in hits in 2012 with 288.

Some will argue that because the Chicago Blackhawks rarely hit you don't need physical players to win, but the Oilers don't possess a blueline like the Hawks, nor are their forwards in the same category as Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp.

The Oilers haven't had a physical player, who could produce and play significant minutes since Ehan Moreau scored 20 goals in 2004. Ryan Jones was pretty good in 2011, but he's not an overly physical player.

JF Jacques led the Oiler forwards in hits in 2010 with 158.
Ryan Jones had 152 in 2011, and he scored 18 goals.
Lennart Petrell had 122 in 2012 and Mike Brown led them with 65 this past season.

Outside of Jones, none of the others played significant minutes or made much of an impact offensively, and they were usually a liability defensively.

Clutterbuck's corsi numbers aren't stellar, but in 2012 the Wild had the worst corsi rating of any team in the league. The entire team sucked, but Clutterbuck has shown improvement over the years. If you want to see his Corsi, Fenwick and other stats read here.

Clutterbuck is exactly what the Oilers need. A fiesty third line player, who can inject some energy, annoys the opposition, skates well, can help out on the PK, plays on the edge and has some decent offensive potential.

If the Oilers have to part with Pitlick and something else to obtain Clutterbuck, I'd do it yesterday.

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

The thing about Clutterbuck that sticks out for me is that he is always hustling. The guy's feet are always moving. With his kind of hustle, I can't see what's not to like about this one. Not sure what's in it for Minnesota, though.

But we need to curb our expectations of what Clutterbuck is and can do and how much impact he is going to have on our team.

A quality bottom 6 player is important, but let's not pretend this acquisition (if it happens) overturns anything re: size vs. skill, or the fortunes of the Oilers.

Baby steps though. If we acquire Clutterbuck and Zack Smith, and find a replacement for Jones, our third line is already a huge upgrade over what it was before.

Or maybe Paajarvi could be dropped to the third line and we get a solid second liner with size.

Either way, I think a major reason we end up where we do every year is because of our poor third line. The fourth line isn't too difficult to fix, but I believe that fixing the third line will do wonders for the team.

I do agree that individually, it's not a HUGE step forward though and we should curb expectations.

The thing about Clutterbuck that sticks out for me is that he is always hustling. The guy's feet are always moving. With his kind of hustle, I can't see what's not to like about this one. Not sure what's in it for Minnesota, though.

Keep in mind his value isn't amazing. Pitlick plus a low draft pick should do it.

But we need to curb our expectations of what Clutterbuck is and can do and how much impact he is going to have on our team.

A quality bottom 6 player is important, but let's not pretend this acquisition (if it happens) overturns anything re: size vs. skill, or the fortunes of the Oilers.

I think you undervalue him, perhaps. I think most of us are still upset about the loss of Curtis Glencross (whom I'd take over Clutterbuck, mind you) and Brodziak. We need quality bottom six guys. They won't necessarily make Eberle or Gagner play bigger, no, but they can help pot some goals when good old fashioned skill isn't getting the job done.

I think Clutterbuck could also slide up to line two, as needed. It's good to have players in the line up that bring some versatility.

He definitely won't solve all our problems, but if that's MacT's first move (Clutterbuck for Pitlick), he's off to a flying start.

Pitlick might turn into a really good player for Minny, but right now he's doing squat for us, and isn't helping his value any. It's not likely to get any better while he's here either.

Unrelated, but if Gagner signs here, I hope they move him to the wing and find a solid player for that 2nd line C role. We need to get better up the middle somehow.

The thing about Clutterbuck that sticks out for me is that he is always hustling. The guy's feet are always moving. With his kind of hustle, I can't see what's not to like about this one. Not sure what's in it for Minnesota, though.

They can't afford him. Not much left after the two dump-trucks of gold were delivered to Suter and Parise.

I find the different team perspectives interesting from a wild writer they think giving up pitlick is something the oilers might not want to do, yet oiler fans would jump at this. Really everyone is hoping pitlick becomes a 3rd liner and clutterbuck already is one. Do the trade sign Cal to 4 years 8 million.

While not one to get my hopes too high, the Clutterbuck for Pitlick deal (plus maybe a 2014 - 4th to 5th rounder) count me in as a big supporter as this would be an excellent deal.

I am also liking the other rumour deal for of Coburn from Philly...which is now making the latest brumour rounds as well....being 6'5" tall and over 220 lbs.

If the Oilers could actually also get Gordon as a UFA -Pho too, or....even that young Zack Smith kid from Ottawa, the third line could be very decent to very good with by adding Ryan Smyth as the other winger...for this coming season at least.

Smyth - Gordon/Z.Smith - Clutterbuck

Now that would probably put R. Jones out to pasture for sure, along with Petrell, but for 4th line duty...who knows for sure anymore. Jones could maybe stay here and re-sign for as one of the 4th liners if the price is right, as he does have some offensive capabilities too/along with being a decent PK'er.

Easy decision. If we were in the same division, this would not happen, cause he's a player you trade far far away. However, Pitlick a potential 3/4 with no offence for the premier poop disturber in the Western Conference is an easy choice.

The Oil need to get this guy to keep him if for no other reason to keep him from running Taylor Hall next year.

If only the oil could acquire all the gronks that are sure to abuse Hall and the boys. Our roster would then have a salary 1.5 billion over the cap distributed among 300 players. Do-able? Katz would have to sell a lot of Ambien.

I think Clutterbuck is dirty, just the NHL isn't all over him like they are Torres. Maybe he isn't as bad as Torres, but he still hits high, hits a LOT from behind, and isn't afraid to throw out a leg from time to time.

With Gilbert and Brodziak also on the block I'd think there is an opportunity for the Oilers to bring back 2 ex Oilers who IMO were let go and were brainfarts by ST. Brodziak would fit the 3rd line role well. if you could add Gilbert and get rid of N Shultz I'd take that. Add Paul Ranger and Oscar Klefbom as the 7th dman and the d improves.